Staff Reports
In a heart-stopping moment, young Angelo Owens of Longwood, Florida, had a scare that would make anyone’s blood run cold. This nine-year-old hero mistook one of nature’s most dangerous serpents for a harmless stuffed animal. Yikes! But don’t worry, this tale has a silver lining – thanks to quick thinking and a dash of luck, Angelo managed to dodge disaster.
9-year-old mistakes deadly rattlesnake for ‘stuffed animal’ in grandmother’s backyard https://t.co/sUucETh9BI عبر @nypost
— Al Ahmari_A (@aowd25) November 10, 2023
So, what happened? Well, little Angelo was just hanging out at his grandma’s place when he noticed something peculiar lurking in the backyard. In a classic case of curiosity getting the best of someone, he strolled right on over to investigate. Imagine his shock when he realized that the “stuffed animal” was actually a live, rattling, four-foot diamondback rattlesnake. A close encounter with a snake of that caliber could have ended in tragedy. Thankfully, Angelo promptly alerted his family, who sprang into action to handle the situation.
Angelo’s dad, Alex Owens, described the harrowing sound of the rattlesnake’s hiss as “loud” enough to send shivers down his spine. Can you blame him? The thought of what might have been is enough to keep anyone up at night! Fortunately, the family swiftly sought the help of expert critter catcher Bob Cross, who skillfully removed the venomous intruder from the scene before disaster could strike.
It’s a blessing that Angelo’s quick wits and the timely intervention of a seasoned professional prevented a catastrophe. After all, it’s not every day you cross paths with a predator as deadly as the eastern diamondback rattlesnake. This venomous beast is nothing to sneeze at, boasting a fearsome bite that can inflict excruciating agony and serious tissue damage. Not to mention, their venom has the capacity to bring the most robust red blood cells to their knees in no time flat. And that’s not all – these slithery marauders aren’t just landlubbers; they’re also skilled swimmers. Crikey!
But here’s the kicker: When the Owens family first contacted the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation (FWC) service for help, they were turned away, being told that the FWC couldn’t handle venomous snakes. Talk about a letdown! Luckily, Bob Cross swooped in to save the day, proving that sometimes, you have to take matters into your own hands. But seriously, shouldn’t the FWC be equipped to handle the state’s most dangerous critters? It’s a head-scratcher!
Thankfully, this snake’s tale ends on a positive note. The diamondback rattlesnake was safely whisked away to a reptile center, where its venom will be put to good use creating antivenin, potentially saving the lives of future snakebite victims. Kudos to the Owens family for their bravery in the face of danger and for making sure this perilous encounter had a happy ending.
The moral of the story? When life throws a venomous curveball your way, keep a cool head, and don’t forget to call for backup! And maybe, just maybe, the authorities should brush up on their critter-handling skills. Just saying!
